Wednesday night is when we met our "angel", Simon. Nich and Kyle were playing the guitar outside the dining hall and Simon approached them with some friends. They were talking music, playing a little, singing a little and just enjoying each other's company. The rest of the group came out of the dining hall and joined their little songfest. Simon told us he was a believer and had a song to sing to encourage us. He looked a little like Seal. A childhood accident left half his face a little deformed, but he was still a good looking man. He sounded a little like Seal when he sang as well. It was a hymn we all knew, so we joined along. The crowd still in the dining room watching TV looked out at us in a disapproving way, so we decided to head to a smaller room to continue our impromptu singing. We sang some songs for Simon and his friends, who were there with World Vision for some training on how to handle child abuse. The Africans then helped compose Swahili lyrics for the chorus of one song, Blessed Be Your Name. We then all sang it and decided we would sing it back in the states. Simon was full of encouragement for the work we were doing in Kenya. He had notable things to say, and the kindness in his voice was soothing. Yep, this is how I would describe an angel. More than just a nice guy, this person was encouraging, uplifting, and full of the Holy Spirit. The next night he showed up with thoughtful and very appropriate gifts for each of us. Like he knew us deeply. (Cue spooky music!)
Thursday was supposed to be our long drive to Barwesa, but we thought better of it after the stuck episode earlier in the week. The road to Barwesa was worse than the one we got stuck on. The people of Barwesa were expecting us, and were disappointed that we would not make the party we were sponsoring in their honor. Francis decided to send some of his representatives, so we got them travel funds and a few gifts to honor the tribal elders and their wives. We heard later that there were over 1000 people there to help us celebrate peace and an end to their fighting and famine. Wish we could have been there. The guys that went ended up stuck for days because the roads got washed out during the rain that wasn't supposed to fall. They also got a little sick from something they ate...like I said, a better decision to stay.
Our last day was spent at two projects: Barnabas' Posho mill (flour mill), and Kamoisie, another CRF Center where kids are sponsored, fed, educated and cared for. Barnabas' flour mill was built through a micro finance loan. It is his pride and joy! Prior to building this mill, Barnabas' wife and neighbors had to walk up to 5 km each way every day to get corn ground for supper. That burns up a lot of time and energy for those that do that chore, mainly children and women. The local posho mill means more time spent at home rather than on the dangerous roads. Barnabas charges 7 shillings per kilo of corn. It coincides with the wholesale price of a chicken egg. People barter all over Kenya. Eggs can then be sold for 25-30 shillings a piece at the market. It will take him 3 years to pay off the loan, one egg at a time. His other pride and joy is the new church built on his property. Barnabas tithed part of his plot to the church to build a new building. It is a simple structure, but full of peace. It was very contemplative to be in that building surrounded by farm plots. His plot is barely an acre, but the corn was high and healthy. Barnabas and some of his neighbors took advantage of our farmer cooperative, another microfinance project. For $50, we can provide a farming family seed and fertilizer to grow an acre of crops. Our payment at harvest is 2 bags of whatever grain or crop is sold. The bags of grain are then sold when the price is higher (later in the year). Payback is at worst break-even, and at best it will double. This is our second year of this experiment. The steady rains have the corn really high and with double ears per stalk! We also heard about a widow nearby with four small children, so we set off to visit. We found her home and met the children, but the mom was out scrounging up some food and was not home. We left some money with Barnabas to help her out. Barnabas then hosted us for lunch. His 8 months pregnant wife Christine waited on us hand and foot. She refused help of any kind. They think she is pregnant with twins. Kenyan women are tough, strong, and can do anything! On our way back to the guesthouse we stopped by another farmer's plot, and also saw Francis' new house being built. He also took a loan to build this house so he can rent out his other house further out of town. It will be a nice, quiet place in the country to raise 3 boys.
Thursday night we spent at our favorite restaurant...The Siam Restaurant. This time I got to go and I met the Chinese owner...Mrs. Yu. She told me about her daughter who was going to Duke University in Raleigh. Her daughter speaks Chinese, English, French and Swahili fluently. Her 14 year old son is more African than Chinese, she says. We have a nice conversation before the food started arriving. Chinese food in Kenya is authentic, tasty, and the most expensive meal you will have...in comparison. It is still relatively inexpensive for westerners, but way out of the average Kenyan's income. The Africans love the food, and it is their favorite choice. It was Keven and Alicia's wedding anniversary so the Africans sang them a traditional Kalinget wedding song. The words basically mean that the community all agrees with the union and give it their blessing. It was a beautiful song, and I like the fact that the community has a say in your relationship. It must be because the community really relies on each member helping out. A good partnership marriage ensures a better, harder-working community and all benefit. Maybe we should try that in the US...instead of soaking up resources, marriages should contribute to the community. The Renovo group also presented me with a beautiful painting of Africa and a well-written Thank You card. They appreciated the work I put in organizing the trip and making sure they saw, heard, tasted, smelled, and connected with Africa. I am glad the trip is a success in their eyes.
Morning came early as we packed and headed to the airport. Francis, Mzei Paul, Ibrahm, Barnabas and Wilson Melly came by to wish us all a farewell. We spoke of gratitude, hope, friendship, and promised to return. We prayed for unity, blessings on the work, and safe travels for us. As usual, tears fall and hugs abound. Airport security would not let them pass through, so we had to rush a good bye in the street! Luckily we had already said our farewells earlier. We couldn't believe we were on our way home! Our flight to Nairobi was uneventful.
No sooner had we landed and there was Thomas Murai outside waiting for us. He had arranged for us to store our baggage at the luggage hold area, and had also arranged a matatu for our use. He wanted to take us to the Masai Market, a tourists mecca for souvenir shopping. Oh, Thomas is my cousin Candice's new father-in-law. I had just met him at her wedding to his son, Michael. At the wedding he insisted that we call him. He is a very generous man. He refused to take money for the matatu, which is not cheap! He also bought me lunch and took over half a day off to host us...many of whom he had never met! I owe him a big one! Thanks so much Thomas!
The Masai Market is as promised...row upon row of vendors. They are used to Japanese tourists who don't haggle, so they start their prices about 10 times higher than what is should sell for. Once they figure out that you know what you are doing, the prices drop drastically. I found a few Ethiopian silver crosses and a star of David for my Jewish co-worker. Ethiopia was the first African country for both Judaism and Christianity. I bought a couple of cool beaded necklaces, an Urungu for Thomas made of ebony, and an antelope horn vuvuzela! Score! Our flight to Brussels was not scheduled to depart until 10:40 pm, so we could take our time. Traffic was terrible, but we made it back to the airport by 6 pm. We collected our bags and checked in. Then we wandered the Nairobi airport shopping in the duty free stores!
I slept the entire flight to Brussels. I couldn't tell you if anything interesting happened! We had a 5 hour layover, and a few of our group wanted to go into town. Five ended up going into town for a quick look-see. The group that stayed were treated to a huge breakfast of fried eggs, roasted tomato, nice bread, coffee and bacon! I decided to risk it, and bought a box of Cuban cigars...Romeo and Juliettas, my favorite! Everyone else bought chocolate. It was an uneventful flight to Washington, DC...I watched 3 movies and read some. As soon as we landed in the US, everyone pulled out their cell phones to call their loved ones. We made it through customs with no problems...whew! AFTER clearing customs, I shared a few cigars with Keven, who promised to keep his mouth shut about my illicit activity.
On our last leg home, I was reflecting on my 2 weeks...What had I learned? I always learn something profound when I go. This time it was about simplicity. The Africans believe a simpler gospel than I do. They read a simpler Bible, too. My gospel needs to be explained thoroughly. My Bible needs interpretation and exejesis to understand it the right way. My friends in Africa read the word and do it...nothing more, nothing less. They are the ones with true religious freedom. They speak and live a more 1st century version of Christianity than I do. They preach Jesus the Savior and feed hungry people. I think that is why I love it so much when I am there. Read the word, hear the word, obey the word. See the need and meet it. Love unconditionally. Show generosity. Give openly. Help always.
I am glad to be home, but I miss Africa already. Who is going with me next year on our medical mission trip?
Chow!
